Do apartments within the US generally include utilities in the rent?

Question

I'm finally looking at moving out of the parents house. Do the rent prices listed on common websites such as rent.com generally include basic utilities? I know they not all of them do, however I know some of them include basic utilites. (Many websites do not specify.)

I'm setting up a budget to see what I can afford and what I can't. I'd call around to the individual places, but right now i'm trying to get a round number to see if I am even financially able to move out.

Answer 1

I AM NOT an attorney. You asked your Q at the right time - before you got in a mess.

Each property is like an individual. Each apartment or home is the same as an apartment. Each is very unique. Some properties have all the utilities included in the rent. Others have some utilities and services included in the rent. Still others don’t have any utilities or services included in the rent.

It’s a matter of you asking the right Qs. Talk with other tenants/residents. See how well [or poorly] the landlord or the agent/management responds to situations [“problems”] What are you responsible for? Is there a repair deductible in the lease? You should inow what’s important to you.

Because you asked your Q at this time, here’s some additional information you should have AND USE: Hopefully my answer will help to keep you out of a big mess. No one has a crystal ball or can tell the future, but here‘s what I discovered AND practice.

If there is any doubt in your mind about the clarity or further explanation of your lease, ask questions and get those answers - as clearly and concise as possible.

Prepare a letter similar to the one below:

Here's what you could do (((and maybe)))) what you should do:

Date:
Dear [Agent's Name]:

I/We just want to make absolutely sure what was discussed and what you said on ______ [Date]

Its our recollection you said this ". . ." [you quote what he/she said].

To us that means . . . [you put your explanation here]

You mail the letter together with your list as I suggest and describe below.

IF you don't receive a phone call or an e-mail, then the Agent may not be doing his/her job to the best of his/her ability.

This may be in your lease. If its not, INSIST ON IT being made part of your lease. This is to protect YOUR security deposit and, when applicable, other deposits.

I'm sorry to tell you: There are STILL some very unscrupulous landlords and rental agents out there.

PLEASE DON'T fall for that garbage or toro poo-poo: "Its not necessary." OR "I/We don't or won't do that." etc.

I'll give you a HUGE tip for this home and every future apartment, home, condo or building you happen to rent.

Here it is: Once you get your hands on those keys, DON'T move anything into the property - not even a bag for trash or a box with your favorite possessions. NOTHING!

Go into the property and start making a list of EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND FIND WRONG WITH THAT PROPERTY. Your list can be as long or as short as you want. After all, its your money, isn't it?

The list should be in your very best handwriting and prepared in a room-by-room or area-by-area fashion.

Do both the inside and the outside of the property.

List appliances not properly working; broken, cracked and/or missing windows; holes in screens; nails, screws, and/or holes in walls and ceilings; scratched-up and/or stained counter tops, floors and carpets; etc.

Don't forget storage areas, garage, carport, storage buildings, etc. Got the idea? Good.

You could also take pictures. JUST TO BE CERTAIN!

After your list is prepared, bring in the table or desk for your computer. Then bring-in the computer and chair. Set up the computer.

That very best hand-written list should be put on your computer or scanned to a CD or DVD.

After doing that, prepare a letter to your landlord or agent: Send everything by 1st class mail. DO NOT send any e-mail.

Date: -------, 2007

To: Landlord or agent's name,
address & ZIP.

RE: Address # with ZIP.

Dear -----:

As we discussed [and as part of the lease], following is a list of all the things I found wrong with the above property on this date, between [insert the times in the blanks] _____ to ____:

Put the items on the list here - just the way I informed you.

Thank you very much. Have a great day!

Very Truly Yours,

Following your signature, put the address of the property and all the ways for the landlord or agent to contact you.

Print out the letter. Print an envelope.
Mail the list - first class mail - to the landlord or agent.

You're not quite done. Put a copy of that same letter, with the pictures and list in an envelope, mailed 1st class, back to you - with your name and address.

When you get that letter, DON'T OPEN THAT LETTER. Put it with your lease and other important papers. Do this letter and list within 3 to 5 days. [The first day is best.]

Want to "wear belt and suspenders"? Talk with a trusted friend or relative about the list and your intentions. Ask if its OK to send a copy of that same letter to them. Ask them not to open it, but to put it in a very safe place. Send a copy of that same letter to your trusted friend or relative.

As it always does, time goes by. You live in the property for "X" years and you want to move on. You look for a new residence and find it

You give your present landlord or agent the proper notice of terminating the lease. In that very same notice, you give them a forwarding address to send your security deposits and other deposits - together with interest - if applicable.

Low and behold: 1 month goes by - no check. You call and get someone on a voice mail. You leave a message. 2 weeks go by. No response.
Meanwhile you log ALL the days and times you call and what message you left.
2 months: ditto.
3 months: DITTO.
You had enough and decide its time to get YOUR MONEY. Go to small claims court. Bring suit against the landlord AND agent.

The court date comes. You go to court dressed in your very best clothes - complete with jacket and tie AND shine your shoes. [You may discover the landlord or agent continued or postponed the case to a future date.]

EACH & EVERY TIME YOUR CASE IS CONTINUED, YOU MUST SHOW-UP FOR COURT, DRESSED IN YOUR BEST, BRING ALL THOSE UN-OPENED ENVELOPES, together with cancelled checks, money order receipts/stubs, your signed copy of the lease - together with all other expenses you were resposnsible for paying AND you paid.

You present your side of your case. The landlord or agent presents their side. You ask questions. Your questions are answered.

They ask questions. You answered them - NOT rude or with an attitude. BUT like a gentleman or a lady - cool, calm, collected.

The judge may ask if there's anything else you would like to say or show the Court. What do you have? Yes, you have ALL those unopened envelopes with the date and times and the items wrong and those pictures.

The Court opens them and reads them. What do you think will happen?

If you have any additional concerns or questions, I strongly suggest, you should seek competent, knowledgeable legal advice and representation.

I wish you well!

Thank you for asking your question. You did a great job - not only for your information, but for every other person interested in reading my answer.

I wish you well!

VTY,
Ron Berue
Yes, that is my real last name.

Answer 2

No, most apartments (in apartment complexes) don't include utilities. You would have to pay for water, gas and electric in addition to the rent. However, if you are planning on living in an English basement or other type of apartment where you are renting a room from someone, they usually include some of the utilities or include them in the price of the rent.

Answer 3

No utilities are usually not included, most the time water and some places include heat and gas. Only way to find out what is included in rent is to ask whoever you are interested in renting from.

Answer 4

This is something that varies from place to place. Larger apartments do not provide full utilities. Most do not provide electric and heating/air conditioning but do provide water and sewer.Some locations charge a HOA fee that will cover some of the utilities, but again not elec or HVAC.pp

Answer 5

Most apartments in the US do not include any utilities. If they do include any utilities, it will usually be included in the advertisement.

Answer 6

If the listing says nothing then the tenant is responsible for all utilities.

Answer 7

Some do and some don't. It depends on the landlord. Many rentals include heat and hot water. You have to ask each landlord.

Answer 8

Rent To Own Homes : http://RentToOwnHome.uzaev.com/?ZlpV

Answer 9

most studios and some 1-bdrm are the ones most likely to include utilities..........

Answer 10

No, but some do.